Tesla, a company with a laser focus on sustainable energy, is making waves in the roofing industry by designing solar roofs that have garnered a lot of buzz.
While their roofing is profitable in the long run, it is a fairly expensive undertaking. You’ll incur costs such as the purchase of Powerwalls and solar shingles, replacement of your roof (in most cases), and dealing with ever-changing tax incentives.
To get started on installing a new Tesla roof, contact your local roofing pros for FREE ESTIMATES!
How Much Does It Cost to Get Tesla Solar?
Estimating the average total cost of a Tesla Solar Roof can be tricky because several factors affect the final price.
Two significant factors are the complexity of your roof and whether you’re removing and replacing your old roof. The more complex the roof is, the more money you’re likely to spend.
To get accurate estimates for a Tesla Solar Roof cost, we can use the calculator provided on their website.
According to the calculator feature, a single-story building with a 1,000-square-foot roof generating 6.31 kW of power and with one Tesla Powerwall will cost you approximately $46,500 (without tax or other incentives) when removing the old roof and installing the Tesla Solar Roof.
As the number of stories and wattage increases, so does the money you’re likely to spend. The above estimate considers roof removal and replacement, which means you’re likely to spend less if you’re building a new house or your roof is already in perfect condition.
Did you know? Tesla has set up 430,000 Solar Roofs since 2020.
Tesla Roof Cost Breakdown
Now that we have a rough estimate of how much installing a Tesla Solar Roof costs, let’s break down some of the major expenses you’re likely to incur, starting with required equipment.
Active Solar Shingles
These shingles are cells that convert sunshine into electricity. They will cost you about $1.80 per watt.
Inactive Solar Shingles
Inactive solar shingles are visually similar to active ones, except they don’t generate any electricity. Their installation costs range from $15 to $22 for every square foot.
Solar Inverter
It’s tough to estimate the cost of a Tesla Solar Inverter because the company doesn’t disclose its price in the estimates.
The role of the component is to invert the incoming current from the solar modules into an Alternating Current (AC) for home consumption. It also provides security features such as managing rapid shutdowns and preventing ground and arc faults.
Powerwall
Think of a Powerwall as a battery. It charges during the day, and the stored energy is later used at night or during a power outage.
Technically, you don’t need a Powerwall, but it’s part of the Solar Roof bundle and you have to pay for it.
A single Powerwall will cost $6,500 plus an additional $4,000 for installation. To run more appliances, you’ll need additional Powerwalls.
Cost for Roof Replacement
Tesla offers to replace your old asphalt shingle roof. This choice is necessary if you have a worn-out roof or optional if you just want to revamp the one you have to get a premium look.
They charge $7 for every square foot replaced, which is relatively expensive considering that other high-quality, affordable roofing options go for a fraction of that price.
Factors to Consider With Tesla Solar Roofing
There are many factors to consider before you finally decide to install a Tesla Solar Roof. These include the complexity of your roof, whether you’ll need a roof replacement, the infrastructure of your home, your current location, and the taxes and permits involved.
Here’s a breakdown of each one of these aspects.
Complexity of Your Roof
Some roofs are more complex than others. Steep gables and dormers add time and expertise into the mix. Roof installation costs will vary depending on the difficulty.
Tesla classifies the complexity of a roof according to its pitch, the number of mountains surrounding your house, and neighboring obstructions.
Some of these issues are unique to a solar roof, as the more shade that falls on the roof, the more intricate placing the shingles for optimum efficiency becomes.
Roof Replacement
The Tesla Solar Roof can only be installed on a composition shingle roof or a 3-tab asphalt roof.
Both of these roofs should be less than 20 years old.
If your roof doesn’t meet these criteria, you’ll have to replace it, which will cost an extra $10,000 to $15,000 on average.
Current Infrastructure
The company might need to make some upgrades during the installation, depending on the current infrastructure of your home. This could include extra electrical wiring and making any adjustments if your roof extends to a shed.
These adjustments will cost you extra and aren’t included in the online Solar Roof calculator. The company’s crew has to physically inspect your home before they can give you a more exact estimate, so you’ll need to be aware of such potential extra costs.
Your Location
The state you live in can also affect your final budget because electricity bills vary from one state to another.
If you live in a rural area, the project might take a lot more time than in a city or a highly populated area but then you have the benefit of unrestricted sun hitting the Solar Roof. There are a lot of items to take into consideration.
Tax Incentives
Other factors to consider are federal and state-level tax incentives. Although these are part of the Tesla Solar Roof calculator, it’s important to consider them because they can make a huge difference in the final cost.
Incentives vary from state to state, but residential solar roofs installed from 2020 to 2023 are generally offered a 26% federal tax savings.
Tesla Solar Panels vs. Tesla Solar Roof
Solar panels are usually attached to your existing roof as separate components altogether.
Tesla Solar Roofs are just like regular roofing, except they convert sunlight into energy. In some cases, they cover your existing roof and act like a second skin; in other cases, they are the roof itself.
Many people find a Tesla Solar Roof to be more aesthetically pleasing than solar panels. Solar Roofs are minimalist and sleek compared to bulky solar panels. They blend in so well with your existing roof that your neighbors may not even know it’s solar roofing unless you tell them.
Regarding cost, Tesla Solar Panels are the clear contender, although they are still more expensive than other solar panels on the market.
The electricity generated from solar panels is much less, so you may run into a power deficit. Plus, they don’t provide any way to store extra energy, a benefit that comes with Solar Roofs because of the Powerwall.
Did you know? Tesla Solar Roof shingles are so strong you can step on them while cleaning. They are nearly as strong as traditional tiles.
Did Tesla Drastically Increase Its Solar Roof Price?
In April 2021, customers that were waiting for the Solar Roof installation started getting notifications alerting them that the installation prices were going up, in some cases, as much as 100%. Some customers were even forced to cancel their orders because of the price hike.
After a lot of turmoil around the pricing issue, Tesla decided to honor customers’ original quotes if they were already under contract.
It’s important to point out that the biggest culprit in Tesla’s Solar Roof pricing fiasco was inaccurate estimates at the beginning of the process. For instance, the initial price didn’t account for the complex installation of the roofs.
Since then, Tesla has streamlined the online ordering system along with the satellite photos that were used to give initial estimates.
As of now, their system provides more accurate estimates, taking into account labor requirements and the general complexity of the installation.
What Size Tesla Roof Will You Need?
The size of the Tesla Roof you need depends on your energy requirements, location, and budget. Once you know what you want, you can choose from the four sizes of Solar Roofs Tesla offers.
Does A Solar Roof by Tesla Increase Home Value?
Yes, installing Tesla solar roofing will increase the value of your home. Tesla Solar Shingles are aesthetically pleasing and give your home a modern and sleek look.
A Tesla Roof serves as a renewable energy source, which significantly reduces electricity bills in the long term.
Tesla solar shingles are premium products that are designed for durability and can withstand even the most hostile weather conditions.
How Long Does Tesla Solar Roof Last?
Tesla Solar Roofs come with a 25-year product warranty.
Other warranties besides the 25-year product warranty include a module warranty and a weatherization warranty, both of which cover 25 years.
That means the company has you covered if the crew makes a mistake during the product installation or your roof gets damaged from harsh atmospheric conditions.
How Long Is the Installation Time For a Tesla Roof?
Setting up a Tesla Solar Roof involves several third parties, including seeking permission from the utility grid and getting local permits.
Depending on your location, this process can take anywhere between one week and six months. But once all the paperwork is done, the installation should take between five and seven business days depending on the complexity of your roof and the amount of labor involved.
How Efficient Is Tesla Roofing?
Efficiency is another crucial factor to consider before going with a Tesla Solar Roof. Unfortunately, Tesla doesn’t disclose the efficiency of the product. From what we’ve seen from competitors, we can estimate that Tesla Solar Roofs are 14% to 18% efficient.
Did you know? Solar panels are more efficient than solar roofs, with the numbers ranging between 22% and 23%.
How Much Electricity Does a Tesla Roof Generate?
The amount of electricity generated by Tesla Solar Roof has been measured at 71.67 watts and would also depend on the number of solar shingles installed.
There are variables Tesla considers in estimating the power output that would cover your energy needs, including the size of your roof and electricity usage. They do have an online process for starting a service inquiry.
Can You Go Off-Grid With a Tesla Solar Roof?
Yes, you can go off-grid with a Tesla Solar Roof provided you have enough Powerwalls to match your energy requirements.
How Long Is the Wait For a Tesla Solar Roof?
Perhaps one of the most annoying things about a Tesla Roof is the amount of time you have to wait before all the paperwork is done.
For instance, you have to make an application with your utility company so they can allow you to connect to the power grid.
Then you must ensure that you have all the required local permits. According to Tesla, this process can take anywhere between one week and six months, depending on your location. Many homeowners just don’t have the patience.
How Much Does It Cost For a Tesla Powerwall?
A single Tesla Powerwall costs around $6,500, and installing it will set you back an additional $4,000. So, installing a single Powerwall should cost you a total of $10,500 to buy and install.
What Is the Best Time to Install Tesla Roofing?
In many cases, Tesla roofing installation will require a roof replacement, which is quite expensive. So, the best time to install Tesla is when your roof is old and needs a revamp or a replacement. Installing the roof while building the house is also financially viable.
Is It Worth It to Get a Tesla Roof?
Whether you should get a Solar Roof by Tesla depends on your solar energy requirements, roofing needs, and, most importantly, the amount of money you’re willing to spend.
The Tesla Roof can be a worthy investment in the long term, especially if you’re looking for high-end roofing that comes with the benefit of sustainable and renewable energy.
You can get a much better deal if you opt for solar panels, which will still give you electricity you can rely on.
In Conclusion…
The truth is, Tesla’s Solar Roofing is an excellent new technology that serves as a great source of renewable and sustainable energy. However, the cost is the most considerable setback preventing it from going mainstream.
The company is constantly working to make their roof more affordable. With new technology and solar roofing companies blossoming every day, healthy competition and endless possibilities for innovation may finally help this product go mainstream and hopefully make sustainable energy a reality.
For over 20 years Leo has run a successful roofing business in New England, specializing in metal roofing, as well as cool flat roofing technologies. Having replaced and installed hundreds of roofs in New England, Leo has first hand experience with pretty much every residential roofing material and roofing manufacturer available in the US.
